Endodontic operating system

ABSTRACT

An endodontic operating system which includes a measurement instrument and a sleeve adapted to be secured thereto; a working instrument and a measurement sleeve adapted to be secured thereto; a multi-purpose forceps or pliers; means for attaching the measurement sleeve to the working tool in predetermined relationship therewith and an assembly holder for holding the components of the system. The measurement instrument and sleeve thereof enable the instrument to be inserted into the root canal of a tooth with the sleeve secured thereto whereby by means of Xray a predetermined depth relationship can be determined. The working instrument and the measurement sleeve associated therewith of a new design and a further application to existing instruments enable that sleeve to be placed on the working instrument in such a fashion that the working instrument enters the tooth to the predetermined depth determined by the measurement instrument which further may serve as an operating handle for the working instrument. Securing of the sleeves to both the measuring and working instruments is accomplished by the multipliers or forceps. The assembly holder provides a place for storing these components as well as for means for securing the measurement sleeve to the working instrument in its predetermined relationship.

United States Patent [1 1 Malmin Nov. 28, 1973 ENDODONTIC OPERATING SYSTEM [76] Inventor: Oscar Malmin, 127 E. Wayne Ave,

Akron, Ohio 4430] [22] Filed: July 26, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 165,923

Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock AttorneyJ. William Freeman et al.

[5 7 ABSTRACT An endodontic operating system which includes a measurement instrument and a sleeve adapted to be secured thereto; a working instrument and a measurement sleeve adapted to be secured thereto; a multipurpose forceps or pliers; means for attaching the measurement sleeve to the working tool in predetermined relationship therewith and an assembly holder for holding the components of the system. The measurement instrument and sleeve thereof enable the instrument to be inserted into the root canal of a tooth with the sleeve secured thereto whereby by means of X-ray a predetermined depth relationship can be determined. The working instrument and the measurement sleeve associated therewith of a new design and a further application to existing instruments enable that sleeve to be placed on the working instrument in such a fashion that the working instrument enters the tooth to the predetermined depth determined by the measurement instrument which further may serve as an operating handle for the working instrument. Securing of the sleeves to both the measuring and working instruments is accomplished by the multipliers or forceps. The assembly holder provides a place for storing these components as well as for means for securing the measurement sleeve to the working instrument in its predetermined relationship.

3 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures PAIENIEUnnvzo 197s sum 11:? 4

0 6 w 0 4 O 3 O 2 m A T TORNEYS PATENIEDnuvzo 197s SHEET 2 BF 4 INENTOR. OSCAR MALM/N ATTORNEYS SHEET 3 BF 4 PATENTEDnnvao I975 INVENTOR. OSCAR MAL/WIN ATTORNEYS PATENT'EU REV 20 I975 SHEET l BF 4 INVENTOR. OSCAR MA L lVl/N r Y JMMV% FIG. 22 f A TTORNEYS ENDODONTIC OPERATING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention, in general, relates to an endodontic measurement system and, in particular, relates to a system which enables efficient, accurate and easy root canal work.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Several methods exist that attempt to accomplish the goal of efficient, accurate, and easy root canal preparation.

1. One method is the use of a Krueger Stop which is a metallic clip with an elongated arm having a bend (at its tip) with a hole located in the bend. A long-handled root canal instrument is slipped into the end of the clip, with the clip acting as the retentive means. The cutting portion of the root canal instrument projects through the hole in the bend to the selected distance desired.

This method has the limitations of the tip being flexible, the clip can slide, and only a long handle instrument may be used ruling out root canal on very nearly all teeth except the maxillary anterior (upper front) teeth.

2. Another method is the use of magnetized, hollow metal cylinders in varying lengths. By adding various combinations of these over the blade of the root canal instrument, only the desired length of blade is permitted to function.

This method has the limitations of being timeconsuming in selecting the combinations, the pieces (though magnetized) are easily dislodged from the instrument, and, because the bore on all the pieces is the same, it does not work as well on the smallest diameter instruments and will not permit passage of the blade of the largest sizes.

3. Yet another method is the use of pre-sized plastic hubs with a through bore that snap over the end of the present form of root canal instruments. Since each hub is of a different size, one has to select the proper length hub to permit only the desired amount of working blade to be exposed for usage.

The disadvantages of this method are that the hubs are multi-length and multicolored which leads to confusion. Mixing the hubs would result in much time loss and possible inaccuracy. The hubs are difficult to place and remove on the instrument.

4. The most common method is the use of an elastic or semi-rigid material in the form of small squares or circles.

The root canal instrument pierces the material, and the material is then moved up the blade to a distance permitting the usage of the desired working length of the instrument blade.

The disadvantages are that the material is movable and can therefore permit inaccuracy. The material is difficult to place in position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION At the present time, it is extremely difficult to obtain the necessary working lengths of instruments utilized in root canal surgery. The present systems are inaccurate, inefficient and inadequate.

It has been found that measurement can be accurately and easily determined by providing a flexible instrument of a sufficiently small diameter to fit into the root canal. It has been found that this instrument can be inserted to the desired depth following which a stop sleeve can be secured thereto, with the sleeve bottoming on a portion of the anatomical crown of the tooth. It has been found that if this is done, followed by an X-ray of the tooth, that due to the indicia on the measurement instrument, a precise measurement can be obtained.

It has also been discovered that by providing a working instrument of conventional construction together with a measurement sleeve having indicia thereon that the measurement sleeve can be secured to the shank or handle of the working instrument in such a fashion that upon insertion of the working instrument into the root canal, the measurement sleeve will also bottom on the crown of the tooth thereby obtaining the same depth of penetration with the working instrument as was obtained with the measurement instrument.

It has further been found that various forms of mea surement sleeves can be provided, and that attachment of the sleeve to the measurement instrument can be provided and accomplished by means of a unique compression-type pliers or forceps.

Furthermore, supplemental means for precisely locating the measurement sleeve on the shank or handle of the working instrument can be provided to thereby eliminate the necessity of providing indicia on the measurement sleeve.

Additionally, it has been discovered that a new and unique assembly holder can be provided to provide a systematic and orderly storage vehicle contributing to efficient usage of the various components of the system.

It has further been found that if a new form of handle is made on the conventional root canal instrument blade, then an even more effective root canal instrument is created.

The handle of this form may be varied from a cylinder to a square or any variation in this geometric combination and may or may not possess indicia.

Using such a handle and a sleeve, with or without indicia, with a corresponding internal configuration to adapt to the handle, a more positive locking is assured in the form of compression, pinning or stapling, heat seal or chemical bonding.

Another advantage is that the total instrument is not reusable and must be discarded after its usage, thereby obeying the mechanical and biologic demands of root canal therapy.

A further advantage of this new handle form, since it could be made in a plastic material, is that excess length of the handle or sleeve can be easily snipped off using cutter blades incorporated in the design of the pliers or forceps. This would permit easy usage of the stopped" or fixed measurement instrument on the posterior (back) teeth while maintaining all the advantages of the instrument form. While on the anterior (front) teeth, the excess handle length provides better mechanical control and leverage.

Accordingly, production of an endodontic operating system of the character described becomes the principal object of this invention, with other objects thereof becoming more apparent upon a reading of the following brief specification considered and interpreted in view of the drawings.

OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the measurement instrument.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a modified form of the measurement instrument.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the measurement instrument inserted into the root canal with the sleeve being bottomed on the tooth crown.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one form of crimping pliers.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a device for measuring the effective working distance on the measurement instrument.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one form of commonly used working instrument showing the measurement sleeve in place thereon.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the working instrument inserted into the root canal with the measurement sleeve being bottomed on the tooth crown.

FIG. 8 is a perspectivve view of an improved form of working instrument.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an improved form of working instrument with the handle in place.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a measurement sleeve.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a working instrument showing the measurement sleeve in place.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the working instrument following crimping.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing one form of tool for securing the measurement sleeve to a working instrument.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another tool for securing the measurement sleeve to a working instrument.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of still another form of tool for securing the measurement sleeve to the working instrument.

FIG. 16 is still further modified means for fitting the sleeve with regard to a working instrument.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are perspective views of modified forms of pliers for use with the invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view partially broken away showing another means for fitting the measurement sleeve on the working instrument.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an instrument holder.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a modified form of instrument holder.

FIG. 22 is a partial perspective view showing the prepared measurement sleeve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A. The Measuring Instrument Considering first FIGS. 1 through 5, the measuring instrument of the present invention comprises a ta pered, preferably flexible, wire generally indicated by the numeral 10, with a diameter sufficiently small to permit it to be inserted into the root canal of a tooth. This wire has a tapered end 11 and a head or shank end 12. The measuring instrument also includes a hollow cylindrical sleeve 13.

It will be noted that FIGS. 1 and 2 show two variations of the measuring instrument, per se, with FIG. 1 showing the instrument having a smooth tapered end portion 11 while FIG. 2 shows an instrument 10a having a tapered portion which has a series of annular rings thereon, preferably deep enough so that they will register on an X-ray film. The remainder of the instrument 10a is similar to instrument 10 in that it involves the tapered shank 11a, the head or shank end of the instrument 12a, and a sleeve 13a is also employed.

In use of the instrument, the measurement instrument 10 or 10a is first inserted into the root canal C of the tooth T as shown in FIG. 3. Sleeve 13 or 13a is slipped over the shaft or handle end 12 or until the bottom of the sleeve bottoms on a portion of the crown of the tooth T, as clearly shown in FIG. 1.

Following this, the unique pliers or forceps of the invention 20,2011, or 20b are utilized to crimp the sleeve to the handle end of the instrument.

These pliers or forceps 20,20a,20b are shown in FIGS. 4, 17, and 18, and include conventional handles 21,22, 21a,22a, 21b,22b and are interconnected by a spring 23,23a,23b. The handles 21,22, 21a,22a, 21b,22b are pinned together as at 24,24a,24b and have operative jaws of unique design. One of the features of the jaw is a compression groove 25,25a,25b. Other features of the forceps or pliers will be described in greater detail below, but the above-noted characteristics are sufficient to explain the use of the pliers in conjunction with the measuring instrument.

Accordingly and assuming that the measuring instrument has been inserted into the root canal and the sleeve has been slipped over it, the compression grooves of the pliers or forceps are used to deform the sleeve to lock it in place on the instrument thereby fixing the depth of insertion which has been obtained at that time.

Following this, an X-ray would be taken of the tooth. Depending upon the form of the invention utilized, the actual degree of penetration of the tapered shank 11,11a of the measurement instrument can be ascertained. Thus, if the instrument 10 is utilized, a measurement can be made by utilization of the right-angled ruler 30 which is calibrated in millimeter graduations indicated by the numeral 31. In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 1, it is then a simple matter to measure the exposed length of the instrument with the ruler 30. This will give the distance between the bottom 14 of the sleeve 13 to the outboard end of the tip 11. If for any reason the tip of the instrument is short of or past the end of the root canal, the ruler 30 can again be utilized to ascertain the difference. This measurement can then, of course, either be added to or subtracted from the measured length of the exposed portion of the instrument 10 to obtain the desired measurement.

Ruler 30 is not necessary with instrument 100 since the annular ribs will provide a point of reference for determining the desired working length.

If for any reason the sleeve 13,13a is excessive in length, the same may be cut off to a workable length by utilizing the cutting jaws or pockets 26,26a,26b on the pliers 20,20a,20b.

Additionally, it is generally contemplated that the measuring instrument could be produced together with its sleeve at a sufficiently low price so that it could be a disposable or throw-away type item. If, however, it is desired to re-use the basic measurement instrument, it would be possible to employ the slicing beaks 27,270 of the pliers or forceps 20,20a to cut off the sleeve 13,1311, whereby the basic instrument can be sterilized and re-used.

B. The Working Instrument Referring next then to FIGS. 6 through 19 for a description of the working instrument, it will be seen that the same is either a reamer, file, broach, or similar instrument, generally indicated by the numeral 40 in FIG. 6, and has a tapered outboard end 41 and a head member 42. Employed with the working instrument is a hollow, cylindrical sleeve 50 which is adapted to be telescopically received about the end 42 of the working instrument 40. It should be noted that FIG. 6 illustrates a conventional instrument, while FIGS. 8 through 12 show an improved and preferred instrument.

The sleeve 50 has a series of indicia 51 preferably graduated in millimeters on its outer surface, and it is believed possible, once the measurements obtained by utilization of the measuring instrument have been obtained as described above, that the sleeve could be telescoped over the working instrument 40 and, assuming that the instrument has a known fixed length, the sleeve could be telescoped over the instrument 40 until such time as the projecting or exposed portion of the instrument has a length from its tip to the bottom 52 of the sleeve corresponding to the dimension arrived at by utilization of the measuring instrument above-described. The various means for properly locating the sleeve will be described below.

Assuming for the moment that the sleeve has been properly positioned, at this time the pliers 20,2(1a,20b could again be utilized to crimp the sleeve in place. With regard to this crimping, it is preferable to crimp the sleeve both above and below the handle to avoid any possibility of rotation or movement between the sleeve and the instrument. In this fashion when the working instrument 40 is inserted into the root canal, as shown in FIG. 7, the bottom 52 of the sleeve 50 will bottom-out on the crown of the tooth so that in this fashion the depth of penetration of the reamer or file is assured to be precisely controlled in accordance with the previously ascertained desirable depth of penetration achieved and established by the measurement instrument.

It is also possible, of course, to cut off any projecting length of sleeve 50 which would be awkward to handle by utilizing the cutting areas 26,26a,26b of the pliers 20,20a,20b as described above.

It is also possible to recover the instrument itself, if desired, by utilizing the slicing tips 27,27a of the pliers 20,20a, again as described above in conjunction with the measurement instrument.

FIGS. 8 through 12 also show an altemativeand preferred form of working instrument, generally indicated by the numeral 140.

In this form of the invention the working instrument, which is shown here as being a reamer, has a deformed handle portion 142 of rectangular cross section and a tapered portion 141. Received about the handle portion is a locating member 143 having a generally rectangular cross-sectional profile also. Although any cross section can be used, it is preferred to have at least one flat surface.

Employed with this form of working instrument is a hollow, cylindrical sleeve 1441 having millimeter graduations 145 on its outer surface. The interior of the sleeve 144 is generally indicated by the numeral 146,

and it is rectangular in cross-section to correspond with the cross-sectional configuration of the locating member 1413.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show the method of assembly which includes slipping the sleeve over the locating member and the instrument and adjusting it to the desired axial position. Following this, the forceps or pliers may be employed to crimp both the locating member 143 and the sleeve 1441 in place on the instrument 140.

It is also believed possible to secure these members together by other means which would be the mechanical equivalent of the crimping, such as for example by stapling or pinning, and it would also be possible to form a chemical union. Additionally the pliers can be wired as shown in FIGS. 4 and 18, and the components could be fused together.

Alternative methods of establishing the relative axial position of the sleeve on the working instrument are shown in FIGS. 13 through 16 and 19. The jigs shown in these figures are primarily used with unmarked sleeves.

Thus, and considering FIG. 13 first, it will be seen that a basically L-shaped measurement member is provided, with this device having a cradle or flange 61 projecting upwards at one end thereof and also has a slide member 62 telescoped over it. The top surface 60a of the measuring member has a series of graduations 62 thereon, and the telescoping member 63 can be slid along the body of the element 60 and locked in place at the desired position by means of the set screw 64.

In utilizing this method of establishing the exposed length of the working instrument, it is merely necessary to set the movable member 62 at the predetermined length. Following this, the sleeve 50 is slipped over the working instrument 410, and the instrument is laid in the arcuate cutout area 61a of the flange 61. The sleeve 50 is then slid up against the flange 61 and crimped in place as previously described. Here again the exposed or extended portion of the working instrument is controlled as to length.

FIG. 14 shows a modified form of the invention for establishing the exposed length of the instrument 410, and is generally indicated by the numeral 70.

This unit includes a base member 71 with graduations 72 thereon. Projecting upwardly is a right-angled L-shaped member 76 which has a projecting end 73 and a stop plate 741-. Stop plate 74 is movable along the base 71 and can be locked in place by the screw 75. In this form of the invention the desired length of extension of the working instrument is known, and the bracket 74 is adjusted to the desired position and locked in place. Following this, the hollow sleeve is slipped over the projection 73 and again crimped in place on the working instrument. Again the length of extension beyond the bottom edge of the sleeve is fixed.

FIG. 16 shows another form of the invention generally indicated by the numeral 80. In this form of the invention the base 81 has a series of graduations 82 thereon and has a right angle bracket 83 which is slidable along the top of the base 31 and capable of being locked in place by the screw Also, in this form of the invention the pliers 20 are permanently mounted on the base 81 or standard 55, and in operation the bracket 83 is moved to the desired position, following which the working instrument and the sleeve are placed loosely in the jaws of the wrench until the tip of the working instrument strikes the face of the plate 83. At this time the pliers are activated to crimp the sleeve in place on the working instrument.

FIG. 19 shows yet another manner of affixing the sleeve to the working instrument so that it has a predetermined projection. In this form of the invention a base member 91 is provided having a series of pins 93,93 mounted in its top surface 92. These pins are mounted so as to provide a progression of predetermined standard lengths. It is possible in this form of the invention to simply drop the sleeve and the working instrument over the projecting pins 93, with the selection of a particular pin being dictated by the predetermined length mentioned above. In this fashion it is possible again to obtain the desired length of projection following crimping.

C. The Assembly Holder Turning next then to FIGS. 20 and 21 for a description of the various forms of assembly holders disclosed herein, and particularly referring first to FIG. 20, it will be noted that the assembly holder, generally designated by the numeral 100, includes a base 101, a projecting top pedestal 102, and a top cross member 103.

The base 101 has a series of apertures 101a therein, and these are intended to receive a supply of the measurement sleeves 50,50 referred to above as well as a supply of sleeves 13,130.

The top piece 103 has a series of through apertures l03a,103a which are intended to receive a supply of the working instruments 40,140 and measurement wires 11,11a.

Also included in the top cross member 103 is a notched out area 103b which is intended to receive an irrigating and evacuation syringe.

An additional through opening 1036 is provided in the top of the assembly holder 100 to receive the pliers or forceps referred to above.

Referring next to FIGS. 21 and 22, a different version of the assembly holder is disclosed and is generally indicated by the numeral 110.

Basically this form of the holder has a base 111 and an upright pedestal 112 with a corresponding top piece 1 13.

This form of the invention is similar to the form shown in FIG. 13 in general in that the top member 113 has provision for the irrigating syringe and the pliers. It also has a series of through apertures 113a for storage of the operating or working instruments as well as the measurement wires if desired.

In this form of the invention the top surface 111a of the base 111 is shown tapered or sloping from its point of connection with the upright pedestal 112. Two dovetail grooves are cut into the face 111a of the base 111, and these grooves are generally indicated at lllb. The slot is intended to receive a pre-assembled molded member 114 which carries on it a plurality of sleeves 40,40. The molded piece is slid into one of the slots 111b, and when it is desired to utilize one of the sleeves, they can merely be snapped off the unit 114. The sloping or tapering of top surface 111a facilitates this breaking movement.

While no particular materials have been set forth in the foregoing description, it should be understood that the sleeves which are utilized with either the measuring instrument or the working instrument would probably be of plastic or some other readily deformable material which would permit the crimping or deformation necessary to secure the sleeve to the instrument.

Similarly, with regard to the assembly holders 100, 110, the material is optional although it would preferably be of a material which could withstand a sterilization process.

While a full and complete description of the invention has been set forth in accordance with the dictates of the Patent Statutes, it is to be understood that modifications can be resorted to without departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An endodontic measurement method for a root canal therapy, comprising the steps of:

A. inserting a measuring instrument having a handle and a shank with measuring indicia throughout its length, with said shank having a substantially smooth tapered surface throughout its length, into a root canal;

B. telescoping and permanently securing a cylindrical,elongate, deformable sleeve, having an internal configuration that corresponds to the external eonfiguration of the measuring instrument, by crimping it to the handle of the measuring instrument so that one end of said sleeve bottoms on the crown of the tooth;

C. X-raying the tooth;

D. removing said measuring instrument and sleeve;

and

E. determining the accurate working length or limit desired by comparative measurement of the X-ray images of the root canal length and the instrument length.

2. An endodontic working method for enlarging root canals comprising the steps of:

A. telescoping and permanently securing an elongate, deformable, cylindrical sleeve to the handle of a working instrument by crimping it about said handle so that the effective predetermined exposed length of cutting blade of the working instrument beyond the end of the sleeve equals the desired determined working length of the root canal from the crown to the apex of the root;

B. utilizing said working instrument in increasing cutting blade diameters to progressively enlarge the diameter of the root canal; and

C. applying means for irrigating, evacuating and drying the tooth, thereby removing the working debris by use of an irrigating evacuation syringe between each usage of the individual progressively increasing diameters of the working instruments.

3. An endodontic surgical method comprising the steps of:

A. inserting a measuring instrument having a handle portion and a shank portion into a root canal;

B. permanently securing a first elongate, deformable, cylindrical sleeve to the handle of said instrument by crimping it thereto in telescoped relationship so that one end of said sleeve bottoms on the crown of the tooth;

C. X-raying the tooth;

D. removing said instrument and sleeve; and

E. securing a second elongate, deformable, cylindrical sleeve to the handle of a working instrument of any cross sectional configuration in telescoped relationship thereto so that the amount of projection of the blade of said working instrument equals the amount of projection of the shank of said measuring instrument from said first sleeve. 

1. An endodontic measurement method for a root canal therapy, comprising the steps of: A. inserting a measuring instrument having a handle and a shank with measuring indicia throughout its length, with said shank having a substantially smooth tapered surface throughout its length, into a root canal; B. telescoping and permanently securing a cylindrical,elongate, deformable sleeve, having an internal configuration that corresponds to the external configuration of the measuring instrument, by crimping it to the handle of the measuring instrument so that one end of said sleeve bottoms on the crown of the tooth; C. X-raying the tooth; D. removing said measuring instrument and sleeve; and E. determining the accurate working length or limit desired by comparative measurement of the X-ray images of the root canal length and the instrument length.
 2. An endodontic working method for enlarging root canals comprising the steps of: A. telescoping and permanently securing an elongate, deformable, cylindrical sleeve to the handle of a working instrument by crimping it about said handle so that the effective predetermined exposed length of cutting blade of the working instrument beyond the end of the sleeve equals the desired determined working length of the root canal from the crown to the apex of the root; B. utilizing said working instrument in increasing cutting blade diameters to progressively enlarge the diameter of the root canal; and C. applying means for irrigating, evacuating and drying the tooth, thereby removing the working debris by use of an irrigating evacuation syringe between each usage of the individual progressively increasing diameters of the working instruments.
 3. An endodontic surgical method comprising the steps of: A. inserting a measuring instrument having a handle portion and a shank portion into a root canal; B. permanently securing a first elongate, deformable, cylindrical sleeve to the handle of said instrument by crimping it thereto in telescoped relationship so that one end of said sleeve bottoms on the crown of the tooth; C. X-raying the tooth; D. removing said instrument and sleeve; and E. securing a second elongate, deformable, cylindrical sleeve to the handle of a working instrument of any cross sectional configuration in telescoped relationship thereto so that the amount of projection of the blade of said working instrument equals the amount of projection of the shank of said measuring instrument from said first sleeve. 